ST. MARY’S RC JUNIOR SCHOOL
POLICY ON SEX AND RELATIONSHIP EDUCATION (SRE)
General Principles
We believe that a Catholic Education should include Sex and Relationships Education
(SRE). Christ’s command ‘Love one another as I have loved you’ is the key and
foundation for human and spiritual fulfilment and happiness.
As human beings created body and spirit, our whole personality is shaped by our
sexuality. ‘Male and female he made them in his own image he made them’. Sex and
relationships education, therefore, is a fundamental entitlement of our children and young
people.
The family is the central context in which this education takes place. It grows out of
parental support and in turn supports parents in their critical role. In growing up, children
and young people become fully aware of themselves. As a Catholic community, we want
to support their personal and spiritual development by offering them a mature and well
rounded approach to the difficult questions that they face with regard to the appropriate
expression of their love for others. We offer a listening ear, a warm hearted approach and
a faith that inspires us to see in our humanity the place where God reveals his love.
We celebrate each individual uniquely created by God in His own image. Through SRE
children come to understand more about themselves, others and the beauty of Creation.
SRE is presented in the context of Gospel values and the Church’s teaching on morality.
Rationale
Our approach will be a positive one because:
Sexuality is a gift from God.
We are made to love and be loved.
What we say with our bodies should reflect what we mean in our hearts and minds.
Mature Christian sexuality involves openness and commitment to others.
Genuine love is creative.
We affirm that human sexuality is an essential dimension of personal identity as it forms
a fundamental part of God’s gift of Life.
“In his own image he made them, male and female he made them….God saw all that he
had made and found it very good.”
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education policy January 2010
Aims
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To develop in pupils a sense of their own self-worth and uniqueness as created
by God.
To help pupils to come to a deeper understanding about themselves as they
grow.
To provide pupils with accurate, factual information about the reproductive
process according to age, experience and level of understanding.
To teach pupils to respect their own and each other’s bodies.
To teach pupils about the importance of love and respect in relation to all
relationships and especially sexual relationships, and to set this in the context
of family life and marriage.
To teach pupils about responsibility for oneself and others.
To develop an understanding about the importance of parenting skills.
To present fact in an objective and balanced manner and to use appropriate
terminology to enable pupils to discuss issues without embarrassment or fear.
To provide a supportive environment for SRE to take place where questions
can be asked and honestly answered.
Delivery
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We intend that the school’s teaching in the SRE policy and programme shall be
delivered in the wider context of the school’s Education for Personal
Relationships (EPR), Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and
Religious Education programmes.
Aspects of SRE will be covered as part of the statutory element of the Science
National Curriculum.
The ‘All that I am’ DVD programmes for Years 5 and 6 will be used in the
Summer Term. This resource was specifically recommended in the Archdiocese
of Southwark’s Policy for Education in Human Love.
Parents
The school recognises that parents are the primary educators of their children and will
seek to support them in their task. It will ensure that parents are kept informed of what is
happening in SRE in terms of content, delivery and timing.
Parents retain the right to withdraw their child from any parts of the school’s Sex
Education programme, although certain elements are covered under the Science National
Curriculum which is the legal entitlement of all children.
The school recognises that good communication is vital in this area and parents are
invited to review the schools policy and ideally view all the materials before hand.
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Dealing with sensitive issues and responding to questions
Teachers will answer questions honestly but with due regard given to the nature of the
question and the age and maturity of the questioner. In some cases it may be appropriate
for the teacher to respond to a specific question and the pupil will be referred to his/her
parents. In the same way not all questions will be answered publicly and the teacher will
need to assess the appropriateness of the question to consider if it matches the maturity
and understanding of the whole class group.
Teachers should never feel pressured into discussing their personal views or experiences
and should always respect the sensitivity of their position as a teacher in a Catholic
school.
Approved by the Governing Body: January 2010
Date of next review : January 2013
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education policy January 2010